Carl Chouler now runs CDE Events Management, a Leeds-based business he began while a student in the city.

Carl spends his time organising corporate and fund-raising events. He recently organised the Leeds City Ball, which was attended by some of the most influential people in Leeds and raised money for the NSPCC.

Carl manages to earn himself some money as well as raising funds for good causes, a feat that has fired his passion for entrepreneurship and inspired him to set up Yes (the Young Entrepreneurs Society), a non-profit organisation which aims to kick-start young entrepreneurs into business.

Since its launch earlier this year, Yes has supported two start-up companies and generated publicity for Bess Productions, a new company which will be taking a play to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Carl left university this summer in the black rather than in the red, thanks not only to his entrepreneurial skills but also to FaberMaunsell, an engineering firm which sponsored him for two years while he was a student.

Carl will take up a full-time permanent position with FaberMaunsell in the autumn. "I've been offered a good job and relatively good money for Leeds," he says. "I'll be working in a team as a consultant on transport-related projects for a variety of clients in the private and public sector."

Carl is looking forward to starting his new job, which will allow him to use his degree and travel. He will continue to run his business part-time.

His advice is: "Consider all your options before rushing into work. A lot of pressure is heaped on students to get the best job and the best money, but this approach does not lead to long-term satisfaction or success."